A walled garden and a caring tutor mean a safe haven for writers

Tough stuff

Writing honestly can be emotionally tough, particularly if you are trying to write about your own life’s experiences. As you dig deep into what happened to you and what it means to you, you will find it engenders both laughter and tears. Catharsis releases strong emotions, some of which may have been repressed for years. But looking at your experiences honestly and writing them down, not only brings relief but also creative satisfaction.

This is the reason why the combination of tutor Jo Parfittand the grounds of the Watermill are so important for our Writing Your Life Stories course. You will write, and discuss your writing, under the shade of the vine verandah in the Watermill’s beautiful walled garden, a safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Clear boundaries and common purpose

Jo says: “One of the reasons for the great success of our Watermill Writing Your Life Stories course is that there are clear boundaries. Not only are you living in a defined location within grounds of the Watermill and the village of Posara, which gives you physical boundaries, but being with a group of people all joined together in a common purpose makes you feel psychologically safe in that environment too.

“On these courses people feel they are able to share their experiences, why they bond so well and why they find the courage to write about tough stuff.”

Jo adds: “That is why I am now such an advocate of the residential writing course. And that is why I am delighted to be returning to Posara for another Writing Your Life Stories course this year. It’s true: a residential writing course reaches the places other courses cannot reach.”

Find YOUR voice

Our Write Your Life Stories creative writing course is designed to help you produce your best work, to find your true writer’s ‘voice’ and to write authentically. Among other things, you’ll discover the secret of SPICE, the seven steps to writing life stories. Jo says: “The course at the Watermill will provide a safe haven in which to unlock your creativity, write from your heart and hone your writing craft. Sessions at the mill will empower students to write in a compelling way that makes real experiences come to life.”

Jo Parfitt is an author, journalist, teacher, blogger, conference speaker and poet. She has published 32 books herself, has helped more than 100 authors get into print and more than 1,000 people to begin writing. She’s an inspiring, compassionate and encouraging teacher: her motto is ‘sharing what I know to grow.’ Wealready have nine people booked into Jo’s course, one of whom is a non-participating partner, so we have room for two or three more aspiring writers.

Jo Parfitt

15 June to 25 June 2015

Write Your Life Stories

To learn more about Jo and her course at The Watermill, please click here